INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP)

Transcription

1 INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP) An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is an essential planning document that identifies your goals and objectives. It is expected that all graduate students will utilize an IDP throughout their graduate experience, with the assistance of their advisor/faculty mentor. Use the University of Missouri Graduate Studies fillable IDP template, as well as programming aligned with our gradessentials program of professional development categories. STEPS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS FOR ADVISOR/MENTORS 1 Take inventory of yourself. Reflect on skills, strengths, and areas for development. Outline longterm career objectives. Become familiar with available career and professional development opportunities. 2 Consider career and professional development opportunities with mentor. Prioritize your goals. Select opportunities of interest. 3 Write an IDP and share with your advisor and/or mentor. Revise IDP based on feedback and suggestions. 4 Implement the plan, and revise IDP as needed, at least annually. Use the IDP as part of annual review with your academic department. Discuss career and professional development opportunities with student. Review the IDP, discuss it with student, suggest (and assist with) revisions. Establish regular review of progress and help revise the IDP as needed, at least annually. Use the IDP as part of annual review of graduate student progress. EXPECTATIONS Student Take primary responsibility for the successful completion of my degree, and my personal and professional development Actively seek out advice and feedback from my advisor, faculty mentor(s), committee, peers, and colleagues Meet regularly with my advisor and faculty mentor(s); provide them with updates on the progress and results of my activities Advisor/Mentor Be committed to a student s education, training, and holistic development as a future member of the professional community Encourage students to set reasonable goals and establish a timeline for completion, providing honest feedback on an ongoing basis Lead by example and facilitate training in complementary skills needed to for a successful career, utilizing the MU Graduate Studies gradessentials program as a framework for guiding students

2 The MU Office of Graduate Studies has identified essential transferable skills important to the graduate student experience. These skills are incorporated throughout the IDP. The following descriptions will assist you in preparing for the self-reflection portion of the IDP process. A full description of gradessentials, as well as a list of in-person and online resources may be found at: gradstudies.missouri.edu/professional-development Job search strategies; preparing job search materials (resume, CV, cover letter); strengthening interviewing & negotiating skills; building a personal brand and network; entrepreneurship. Designing curriculum; facilitating discussion; providing constructive feedback; training in teaching technologies & modalities; creating inclusive & supportive class environments. Pursuing answers to complex questions; conducting responsible research; grant writing; finding sources of funding; presenting and publishing your research. Public speaking; explaining research to lay audiences; persuading others; learning specialized writing skills; digital literacy & responsibility; adhering to ethical conduct & integrity. Valuing differences & similarities; working across disciplines; engaging in new ideas & perspectives; being an ally & advocate; promoting equitable, inclusive, & respectful environments. Maintaining physical, mental, & emotional health; adopting self-care strategies; building resilience & emotional intelligence; taking ownership of goal setting, organization, & decision making; managing financial resources; exploring work-life integration; Exploring leadership philosophies & styles; understanding organizational dynamics, supervising & mentoring diverse individuals & teams; practicing conflict resolution; participating in project management; appreciating civic engagement. Obtaining depth/breadth of knowledge in subject area; demonstrating critical & analytical thinking & problem solving; keeping track of academic benchmarks, forms, & deadlines; successfully completing graduate milestones (e.g., qualifying exams, theses, dissertations). 2

3 Creating an IDP Step 1 Self-Reflection Use this list of questions as a starting point for self-reflection: What are my Career goals? Fill in your response: Strengths and challenges? Short-term and long-term goals for academic and professional success Indicate your perception of your level of confidence/competence on these transferable skills. Place an X or checkmark to indicate your rating. Or you can add a note to reflect on your level of competence. gradessentials Career development and exploration Low Confidence/ Low Competence Some Confidence/ Some Competence High Confidence/ High Competence Research and innovation Inclusive excellence Leadership and community Teaching and learning Communication and professionalism Health and wellness Scholarly development 3

4 Step 2 Prioritize Your Goals These are considerations as you create and adjust a professional development plan specific to your academic experience, as well as your personal and professional goals: What career line interests you? Faculty position? Academic staff position? Industry? Policy? How to organize the IDP into the areas you hope to grow? o Academic focus areas of teaching, research, and service o Skills specific to your field o Involvement and leadership in campus, community, and professional associations Review the goals you are developing to assess the viability of your plan. Are they SMART? Specific: Measurable: Attainable: Result-oriented: Time-limited: Have I made clear precisely what needs to happen in each area? Will I know whether I have achieved my objective or not? Are the goals and objectives doable? Will my plan and strategy help to move me toward my goals? Does the plan include realistic time points and due dates? Step 3 Write an IDP Use the IDP template (page 6) to lay out your goals for the coming year. What do you want to achieve? o Consider how you may want to grow within the categories identified in gradessentials, and check benchmarks in your academic department and college o Remember the categories are meant to be used as a guide; you do not have to write goals for every category, or have 3 goals for each category in the IDP template o It is a good idea to think about all areas of your life and how you might grow personally and professionally; do not rely solely on your academic program or the university for your professional development, as opportunities are found in many places o The IDP does not have to be filled out completely it is for YOUR goals 4

5 Step 4 Revise IDP (as needed, at least annually) Meet with your advisor and/or faculty mentor to discuss the IDP, specifically the progress made and for new goal setting You should meet with your advisor each spring semester to receive and discuss annual review feedback; the IDP (along with your CV/resume) will be helpful to cataloging your progress Keep your IDP in a place where you can review it frequently, to help you keep on track with your goals Build your professional portfolio. As your skills build, be sure to incorporate your experiences into your job search materials: o Cover letter o CV/resume o Reference list o Brief bio o Professional headshot o Teaching philosophy o Research philosophy o Diversity statement 5

6 IDP Template Name: Degree Program: Advisor/mentor: Date IDP created: Date IDP updated (if applicable): Career Development & Exploration 6

7 Research & Innovation Inclusive Excellence 7

8 Leadership & Community Teaching & Learning 8

9 Communication & Professionalism Health & Wellness 9

10 Scholarly Development Accomplishments and Experiences An optional space to keep track of your notable accomplishments, new or memorable experience that helped shape your worldview: For questions about the IDP or gradessentials, contact Dr. Laura Page, Director of Professional Development & Leadership, Office of Graduate Studies at or or visit gradstudies.missouri.edu/professional-development 10